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The Daily Northwestern DAILYNORTHWESTERN.COM
Thursday, May 14, 2015
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Reform to alcohol policy recommended By Tyler Pager
daily senior staffer @tylerpager
The Community Alcohol Coalition has recommended the University reform its policy on students who receive emergency medical care for an alcohol overdose by granting them medical amnesty from disciplinary sanctions within the University’s conduct system. The coalition submitted its recommendations last month regarding changes to Northwestern’s alcohol policy to Patricia Telles-Irvin, vice president for student affairs, and
a summary of the report will be released to the wider NU community this quarter, said Dean of Students Todd Adams, who chairs the coalition. The current Responsible Action Protocol policy only provides this medical amnesty for the student who contacts emergency officials to get help for an intoxicated student. Amnesty is only granted, however, if the aiding student follows RAP, which entails staying with the intoxicated student and cooperating with emergency and University officials. The policy states, “students will not be found responsible for alcohol- or drug -related policy violations and
sanctions will not be issued.” Students for Sensible Drug Policy launched a petition last week calling for the expansion of medical amnesty to students for overdoses on both alcohol and other illicit drugs. Members of SSDP said they were supportive of the coalition’s recommendations on alcohol, but don’t think they go far enough. “Underage drinking is still illegal so we should still be providing immunity to any other illicit activity,” said SSDP co-director Caroline Naughton. “Just because it’s not alcohol, that doesn’t mean it’s not a concern.” Anna DiStefano, the treasurer of
SSDP, was added to the Community Alcohol Coalition last quarter. She said the group’s petition is in line with the coalition’s recommendations, but asks for them to be expanded. “We want students to know the petition is in support of a completely comprehensive medical amnesty policy, which, although the formal recommendation is fantastic, it’s not all encompassing,” the Weinberg sophomore said. “We believe there would be some impact from widening the range.” Adams said he was glad to see students bringing forward ideas about the alcohol policy. The SSDP petition calls for
changing RAP to a Good Samaritan Policy, which Naughton said would help remove the fear students have of disciplinary sanctions when calling emergency officials. “A Good Samaritan Policy provides amnesty and protection from disciplinary consequences for the students involved in a medical emergency in an effort to promote quick, responsible action,” the petition says. The petition still supports treatment programs through NU’s Health Services if students need medical attention. “We really want to urge Todd » See amnesty, page 9
Author talks change in Catholic Church By Elena SucharetzA
the daily northwestern @elenasucharetza
Sophie Mann/The Daily Northwestern
NEW VP IN TOWN McCormick sophomore Wendy Roldan is confirmed at Senate on Wednesday as Associated Student Government’s new vice president for student life. Senate also discussed a tobacco-free resolution and approved ASG’s operating budget.
ASG Senate elects student life VP By Shane McKeon
the daily northwestern @Shane_McKeon
Associated Student Government Senate discussed Wednesday a resolution that would make campus tobacco-free, confirmed a new vice president for student life and approved next year’s operating budget. Weinberg sophomore Alec Blumenthal co-authored a resolution calling on Northwestern to go tobacco-free by Fall Quarter 2016. The resolution asks the University to create a task force to oversee the policy change. Blumenthal, an off-campus senator, introduced the resolution and took questions. “No one should have to breathe secondhand smoke while walking around campus,” he said. “They shouldn’t be subject to health defects because of someone else’s decision.” He pointed to other Big Ten schools, including Ohio State University and Indiana University, that are tobacco-free. However, Senate rejected a similar proposal in
October 2013. A request for a tobacco-free campus goes further than one for a smoke-free campus, because the former includes a ban on electronic cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Senators will vote on the resolution May 20. Title IX Coordinator Joan Slavin and Tara Sullivan, assistant dean of students and director of student conduct and conflict resolution, presented and took questions about the University’s revised sexual misconduct policy. The new policy consolidates the “Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Stalking, and Dating and Domestic Violence” with the University’s Violence Against Women Act policy and procedure document. Slavin and Sullivan passed out drafts of the policy and Slavin reviewed some of the updates to the policy. Weinberg junior Erik Baker, the senator who represents four sexual health and sexual assault-related groups, said two of the biggest changes he noticed were the revamping of the definitions of stalking, dating and domestic violence and what it means for a student to be incapacitated. Additionally, Senate moved to confirm McCormick sophomore Wendy Roldan as
Serving the University and Evanston since 1881
vice president for student life. She said her two years on the student life committee helped prepare her for the position. “Student life covers everything that isn’t academics mainly,” she said. “In the end, we’re all trying to improve student life.” SESP junior Chris Harlow, Roldan’s predecessor, told The Daily he’s worked on projects with her before and was impressed by her passion for helping other students. “She brings a new perspective, particularly to mental health issues,” he said. “She really is the perfect candidate for this job.” Roldan’s confirmation ends a threeweek vacancy in the new post. Senate rejected Weinberg sophomore Isaac Rappoport, the selection committee’s original nominee for the slot, following a lengthy discussion at its April 22 meeting. Senate also voted to approve an operating budget for next school year. ASG is funded by the student activities fee, which students pay each quarter to make up the nearly $1.5 million ASG » See senate, page 9
A Pulitzer Prize-winning author discussed Wednesday changes to the Catholic Church surrounding society’s shifting social beliefs at the Evanston Public Library. Garry Wills, a writer who primarily explores topics of Roman Catholicism, spoke to about 100 community members and Northwestern students at the event as part of the inaugural Evanston Literary Festival. Although Wills predominately writes about religion, he received the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction for his book, “Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America.” A Roman Catholic, Wills discussed his dissent from the conservative Catholic Right, the rise of liberal beliefs in the Catholic community, and his recent book, “The Future of the Catholic Church With Pope Francis.” “There are certain teachings which are totally ignored by Catholics,” Wills said. “The abortion rate among Catholics is the same as everybody else, the use of contraceptives … is rising in every poll. In this case, the church, the
people of God have just moved on.” The appointment of Pope Francis, who is widely considered a progressive pope, has angered conservatives, yet disappointed liberals who wish to see even greater change to the Vatican’s political climate, Wills said. He said that although this pope has generally strayed from more conservative Catholics on issues such as the condemnation of LGBT lifestyles, liberal Catholics have been disappointed with Francis’ track record regarding abortion and contraceptive use. “On things like sexual morality, the preceding popes made it a litmus test if you wanted to be a bishop,” Wills said. “Everyone had to pass that test including Pope Francis. So when this pope says ‘I’m a sinner,’ he is, he’s part of that sinful system, and he wants to make up for it.” This “system” also prevents Pope Francis from implementing the reforms that liberal Catholics desire, Wills said. He said it would be against liberal principles to try to implement reform without getting input from other church members. Wills gave the example of the scandal following the discovery that some Catholic priests had abused » See WILLS, page 9
Connie Wang/The Daily Northwestern
evolving vatican Author Garry Wills signs a copy of his book, “The Future of the Catholic Church With Pope Francis.” Wills talked at the Evanston Public Library on Wednesday night.
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